Islington boxer Ben Turner claims convincing win despite mum’s health scare

Islington BC junior captain Ben Turner battled to victory at the club’s annual dinner show – despite seeing his mother rushed to hospital just before the contest.

Turner’s mother, who was in the crowd for Friday’s show at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, collapsed with an allergic reaction and the boxer considered withdrawing while he and his family waited for an ambulance to arrive.

Eventually, Turner decided to fight on and produced an aggressive performance to overcome reigning National Schools champion Ryan Adair (Cambridge Police) by unanimous decision.

And there was relief for the Islington star when Mrs Turner was released from Whittington Hospital, having made a full recovery.

Islington BC chairman Lenny Hagland said: “Ben himself decided that ‘the show must go on’ and it is to his credit that he put up such a good performance in the circumstances.”

Reece Shagourie’s bout with Bryce Goodridge (Basingstoke) took the headline spot on the 10-fight show and the Jamaican international started strongly, his southpaw style giving him the early advantage over Goodridge’s long jab.

However, the Islington boxer slowed in the last round after thinking the result was assured, and that allowed Goodridge to rally and take the win.

Super-heavyweight Christian Nwofor secured his maiden win and the Best Boxer of the Night award after walking down Lewsey ABC’s Craig Smith in a patient performance littered with well-timed flurries.

Islington’s improving welterweight, Jeff Ofori, beat Times ABC’s Lee Devine in an enjoyable contest.

Ofori’s fast hand speed made the difference and almost forced a standing count as his opponent covered up on the ropes.

In the first of two all-female contests, Islington’s unbeaten Cherrelle Brown took a unanimous decision over Waltham Forest’s Deayndra Allen thanks to her assured control of the centre of the ring.

Brown’s victory was followed by Denmark’s Julianne Hayden (BK Varde), who took on Gorton ABC’s Laura Kelly.

Boxing as a guest of Islington, the Dane lost a unanimous points decision after being floored in the third with a straight right hand.

However, Islington’s Faizyllah Uriakail and Redbridge’s Humza Abbas suffered the ignominy of a double disqualification in the opening round, after both boxers failed to heed the referee’s warning of dangerous headwork.

Safi Abdullah (Islington) won a finely balanced majority decision against Rifat Hussein (Eltham & District), while Islington junior Christy McCarthy produced a controlled yet aggressive performance to overcome Southend’s Albie Scopes.

McCarthy scored with a series of hard body shots to earn a unanimous decision.